Things To Do: Nantahala National Forest

Scenic Drives
Mountain Waters National Scenic Byway is a 61-mile drive that twists and turns by waterfalls, river gorges, rural countryside, and spectacular hardwood forests. Dry Falls and Bridal Veil Falls are two especially scenic stops. Cherohala Skyway is a 36-mile byway that runs through some of the most rugged areas of Nantahala National Forest. Located near Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, elevation tops out at over 5,300 feet.

Hiking
Nantahala National Forest has literally hundreds of miles of hiking and biking trails. An excellent moderately difficult hike is the Whiteside Mountain Hike. It's a 2.5-mile round-trip hike located between Cashier and Highlands. You'll pass 750-foot sheer cliffs, with amazing panoramic views, colorful wildflowers, and rare wildlife, such as the peregrine falcon. A longer hike is Wayah Bald via the Appalachian Trail. This 8.6-mile out-and-back moderate hike has an elevation gain of over 2,000 feet. The view from Wayah Bald, however, makes this hike definitely worth your while.

Fishing
With the exception of developed recreation areas, fishing is allowed throughout North Carolina's national forests, and Nantahala National Forest offers plenty of opportunities for fishing. Some of the best areas are Fontana Lake, Lake Chatuge, and the Upper Nantahala River. Trout are plentiful, including brown, rainbow and native brook trout. You can also reel in bass, walleye, and catfish.